What You Need To Know About Strokes
Hey Everyone,
Let's talk about something that can have a serious impact on the lives of individuals who experience it. I'm talking about a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke. The sudden onset of a stroke can have a life-changing effect on the affected individual. In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 795,000 individuals who experience a stroke each year. Additionally, did you know that strokes are the leading cause of serious, long-term disability as well. Nearly 75% of strokes occur in people over the age of 65, however, strokes can occur at any age with a third of strokes occurring in persons under the age of 65. I mean, I've worked with infants and children who have experienced a stroke at a very young age. In addressing stroke-related deficits, I have worked with individuals presenting with:
Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by muscle weakness, which is reflected by "slurred or mumbled" speech productions.
Verbal Apraxia is a motor speech disorder in which there is a miscommunication between the message center of your brain and mouth, which impacts your speech production. Such may be exemplified by difficulty imitating sounds, words, or sentences; being able to say something right one time, and getting it incorrect another time; or not being able to speak at all.
Oral Apraxia is an impairment of voluntary movements unrelated to speech production, such as smiling, frowning, grimacing, etc. The areas impacted can include the lips, tongue, cheeks, and additional muscles of the mouth.
Aphasia may be exemplified by an impairment in understanding information presented in various modes (visually, auditorily), expressing one's self through speech, as well as difficulty in reading and/or writing.
Dysphagia can be demonstrated in one's reduced ability to safely eat without an increased risk for aspiration, i.e. food or liquid entering the lungs, which can develop into pneumonia.
However, I do not want to spend this whole time talking about the after-effects of a stroke, but would rather focus on busting myths surrounding strokes, and teaching you the signs to look for in identifying a stroke early on. Actually, it's really important for you to get to the hospital as quickly as possible if you believe you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke as your timing can have a significant impact on the types of interventions provided to you.
First, let's talk about the myths surrounding strokes, I've outlined them below for you:
MYTH 1: Stroke cannot be prevented.
FACT: Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable.
MYTH 2: There is no treatment for stroke.
FACT: At any sign of stroke call 9-1-1- immediately. Treatment may be available.
MYTH 3: Stroke only affects the elderly.
FACT: Stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
MYTH 4: Stroke happens in the heart.
FACT: Stroke is a "brain attack".
MYTH 5: Stroke recovery only happens for the first few months after a stroke.
FACT: Stroke recovery is a lifelong process.
MYTH 6: Strokes are rare.
FACT: There are nearly 7 million stroke survivors in the U.S. Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.
MYTH 7: Strokes are not hereditary.
FACT: Family history of stroke increases your chance for stroke.
MYTH 8: If stroke symptoms go away, you don't need to see a doctor.
FACT: Temporary stroke symptoms are called transient ischemic attacks (TIA). They are warning signs prior to actual stroke and need to be taken seriously.
Now let's move on to what you need to look for when identifying possible signs of a stroke. Stroke symptoms can include:
- SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
- SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause
An easy way to remember the signs of a stroke can be identified through the use of the mnemonic F.A.S.T., which stands for:
FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
However, the best advice I can give you is to take a proactive approach to stroke prevention as you recognize and act on risk factors in your life. To learn more about how you can prevent the occurrence of a stroke please read the article attached to my Source Link.
Dr. Nikosi Darnell, Ph.D., M.S., CCC-SLP